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2010 Political Campaigns

When Republican Greg Brophy and his relatives celebrate the holidays, one family member isn’t likely to find a gift from the state senator from Wray under his Christmas tree: Democrat Mike Bowman, who is running against his cousin by marriage.

Democrat Rep. Wes McKinley is proud of his Colorado roots and crusty cowboy image, and his independent brand of representation sits well with most of the folks in House District 64, even if it rankles the Democratic leadership under the gold dome.

The “Platform for Prosperity” — a peace pact to unite extreme factions of the Colorado Republican Party — cleared the path for Scott McInnis to win the GOP nomination for governor and to avoid a party-ripping race against heavyweight conservative Tom Tancredo.

Colorado has fallen on hard times. We’ve seen our state economy hemorhage jobs at the fastest pace since the 1940s, and watched as personal incomes have declined more sharply than at any time since the 1950s.

While supporters of Republican Scott McInnis may have felt all warm and fuzzy about their newly introduced unity pact and “Platform for Prosperity,” Gov. Bill Ritter wasted no time in slapping it cold.

GRAND JUNCTION — Mesa County Republicans gave state Sen. Josh Penry a hometown hero’s welcome at their monthly lunch Nov. 20. He told them he withdrew from the gubernatorial race to help unify the party and to help Republicans win back the governor’s office and a substantial number of legislative seats.

When state Senate Minority Leader Josh Penry pulled the plug on his gubernatorial campaign, did he also yank a linchpin, setting off a grenade that will blow up the GOP’s strategy to unseat Democratic Gov. Bill Ritter?